Archive By Author -

RALEIGH, N.C. - North Carolina Republican leaders are standing by a TV ad critical of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama despite dissension in their own ranks and two stations' refusal to air it.

NEW YORK - Three detectives were acquitted of all charges Friday in the 50-shot killing of an unarmed groom-to-be on his wedding day, a case that put the NYPD at the center of another dispute involving allegations of excessive firepower.

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - More than a decade before a fiery, 34-vehicle pileup last fall killed three people inside a curving, dimly lighted tunnel, state police and a California transportation official warned that the stretch of freeway was perilous and that steps should be taken to improve safety, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

NAGANO, Japan - China's Olympic torch relay ignited more protests on its troubled world tour Friday, sparking demonstrations across this Japanese city despite the mobilization of thousands of riot police.

I am standing on the loggia, two stories tall with a domed stone roof. The wide marble steps lead down to a fountain that sprays millions of water-drop mirrors into the warm spring afternoon. Black wrought-iron street lights and gnarly gray oaks, 100 years old at least, line the driveway and beds of just-bloomed pansies splotch the wide green lawn.

It sounds like a foolproof system for lending institutions: When someone's house is mortgaged to the hilt, the borrower has to get mortgage insurance, protecting the lender in the event of foreclosure.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - A judge on Friday ordered a 16-year-old boy accused of planning a Columbine-style attack on two schools on Sept. 11 to remain in a juvenile detention center and undergo a psychological evaluation.

BAGHDAD - Britain said Thursday that it will keep troop withdrawals from Iraq frozen for months because of an upsurge in fighting with Shiite militias. Iraqi officials said fresh clashes between militiamen and Iraqi and U.S.-led forces had killed at least 13 people.

ALBANY - Bulloch Academy senior Ethan Lovett set a new state record in the 300-meter hurdles during the qualifying heats of the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) Class AA state track and field championships Thursday.

ATLANTA - The judge overseeing the murder trial of accused courthouse shooter Brian Nichols said Thursday he won't step down from the case, but will ask another judge to consider a defense request to remove him.